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Monday, March 15, 2010

Guest Author - Devon Monk (Guest Post & ARC Giveaway)

My guest today is Devon Monk, author of the popular Allie Beckstrom urban fantasy series which includes Magic to the Bone (2008), Magic in the Blood (May 2009), Magic in the Shadows (November 2009) and the forthcoming Magic On the Storm (May 4). She is also a member of the Deadline Dames group blog along with authors Rachel Vincent, Lilith Saintcrow, Jenna Black, Karen Mahoney, Rinda Elliot, Toni Andrews and Jackie Kessler. A pretty talented bunch!

Devon is pretty excited about Magic On the Storm (coming May 4) and thinks you will be too. So much so that we have not one, but two (2) Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) of the book ready to be won by some lucky commenters (details at the end of the post). Anyone winning a copy is welcome to do a guest review of the book here at SciFiGuy.ca (optional but not required to enter).

I asked Devon if she would do a guest post talking about the rich world-building and magic system that she employs in the series, and of course I was also curious to know what other interesting projects were in the works (steampunk anyone?). Devon was happy to accommodate and I think readers new to her books and those already fans will find something that piques their curiosity.

Devon will be happy to answer your questions, so the comments floor is now open. With that said, welcome Devon!

Thanks for having me here, Doug.

One of the great questions I’m asked about the Allie Beckstrom series, is how I came up with the world building, and how I am handling what is (hopefully) a nine-book story arc.

The Allie Beckstrom books started out as a short story–which was rejected. Why is this important (besides being a reminder to never give up, never surrender?) Because writing a short story takes a different frame of mind than a novel-length work.

A short story needs engaging characters, original world building, and a tight conflict, in under ten thousand words (in the case of the Allie Beckstrom short story, six thousand words.) Which means you must know your world on an instinctive and intuitive level and also on a practical, logical level. A short story only hints at the bigger picture, but those hints must impact the story and paint a full, richly detailed world.

So my basic world building was done on a short story level. I needed a character in a modern city where magic and business collided. I came up with three or four ideas I liked but decided were too common-place. And then I found Allie.

She isn’t a police officer or a private detective or a bounty hunter. She isn’t all powerful. She’s a woman trying to help the people she cares about by Hounding (magically tracing old spells back to the user who cast them) despite the demands and expectations of her rich, controlling father, who owns one of the most powerful magic-and-technology integration companies in the world.

I got to thinking that if magic were real–as common as electricity or natural as water–it would probably cost us something to use. There’s no free lunch in real life, and I wanted to treat Allie’s world with the same rules as the real world. So magic is easy to access and anyone can use it. But magic costs something. And that cost is pain.

The ramifications of that kind of power and that kind of price available to *anyone* blew open a world of possibilities. What would be worth using magic for, if magic made you hurt? Saving a child’s life? Curing disease? Revenge?

When Allie uses magic, she not only pays the price in pain, she also sometimes loses her memory. Magic use, for her, comes at a very high price. Additionally, her father has made enemies with shady, powerful people who use magic in ways never imagined. Allie gets thrown into a situation with illegal magic that’s way over her head.

That was the basic set up for the short story.

When the short story was rejected, I breathed a sigh of relief. I’d been thinking about the world a lot, and about Allie and her father and Zayvion. There was a larger story hinted at–a whole series of events the story (chapter) sets up. I knew it would take nine books to tell the full story.

That is not to say I had it outlined, scene-by-scene, but I knew who was ultimately behind the evil-doings, and good-doings, and what they wanted. I knew what other people wanted and would risk. I knew what Allie wanted and would risk. For her to reach her goals, she must question her love, trust, and sense of identity, while fighting for her life and the life of the people she cares about. But Allie never gives up no matter how badly the odds are stacked against her. I love that about her.

Right now I am contracted for six books in the series. MAGIC ON THE STORM comes out in May. Book five, MAGIC AT THE GATE will be out in November. STORM opens up a whole new layer of problems for Allie, and pushes her to make decisions that will change her life. GATE focuses on the fall-out from those choices, and introduces a deeper danger she must face. I am currently writing the sixth book (untitled) that will tie up some of these conflicts, and push forward the conflicts introduced in book one, MAGIC TO THE BONE.

I hope to write books seven through nine, which will finally answer all the questions and get Allie to that ending I’ve had in mind for her all along. That is not to say they will be the last books in the Allie Beckstrom world. Book nine will introduce new challenges for Allie and the gang, but the big story first introduced in the short story and first chapter of MAGIC TO THE BONE, will finally be resolved.

And while I am so excited to share Allie’s world with readers, I do have a couple other projects in the works.

I’ve sold another series that is also a blast to write. Set in the steampunk American West of the 1800's, the first book, (tentatively titled Deadman’s Moon) won’t probably be out until 2011. It features Cedar Hunt, a cursed bounty hunter in the wilds of the west where steam technology, magic, and gunslingers collide. Not exactly “urban” fantasy, this story is told in a slightly different style than the Allie Beckstrom books, but has strong characters who love, risk, and aren’t afraid to fight, in what I hope will be one heck of an adventure. Plus, there’s a new and different take on magic in these books.

My other project is a collection of short stories, (tentatively titled, A Cup of Normal) that will be out from Fairwood Press in the fall of this year. This collection of dark fantasy, science fiction and humor stories will also include short stories that have never been printed. Again, these stories aren’t “urban” fantasy, but they explore fears, hopes, joys and interesting “what-if” questions that come from looking at our real world through the lens of the fantastic.

Thank you again for having me, Doug! I’ll be checking in to answer questions, or to just spend a little time chatting.

GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES:

Two (2) ARCs (thats the one without the fancy cover) of Magic on the Storm to giveaway courtesy of Devon Monk.

Leave a comment or question for Devon or for the fun of it, suggest a title for Books 7, 8 or 9 in keeping with the titling used so far Magic...

Open to US and Canada.

Leave a way to notify you if you should win.

Blog, tweet, post on Facebook or other social network sites for an extra entry. Leave a comment here to let me know.

Biography:Devon Monk has one husband, two sons, and a dog named Mojo. She lives in Oregon and is surrounded by colorful and numerous family members who mostly live within dinner-calling distance of each other. She has sold over fifty short stories to fantasy, science fiction, horror, humor, and young adult magazines and anthologies. Her stories have been published in five countries and included in a Year's Best Fantasy collection. When not writing, Devon is either knitting, remodeling the house-that-was-once-a-barn, or hosting a family celebration.

Devon, This sounds like a great serial and I can't wait to begin reading. I hate to admit I had not heard of your work before. Your new project also sounds like a winner. Did you think that you would be as well known as you are? Do you enjoy writing?Thanks for stopping by.

I love this series and can't wait for the next installment! Allie's world is so diverse and her character is so gritty and easy to like - a very sexy heroine you just find yourself cheering for. I loved hearing how you started with a short story. I just can't believe you were able to build that world in such a small amount of text. It's a fantastic world!! And I must say I have dreams about Zayvion :D He is HOT! Anyone in particular you based his character on?

What a awesome post and thanks for the giveaway. I just [this past Friday] got your first 3 books in the mail and I can't wait to start reading them. I've heard such wonderful things! Your new projects sound interesting, I'll have to tell others.

Abigail--Thank you! I'm really loving the steampunk book, and hope readers like it when it comes out.

Misskallie2000--Thank you for stopping in and taking a look at the books. I love writing. Even on the bad days, it's still the favorite job I've ever had. I don't know how well known I am yet. It still surprises me when someone working at a book store recognizes my name when I'm buying books, Lol! :)

Katherine--I always wanted to write novels, so that was the career I was aiming for. It wasn't a difficult jump, but there is a different kind of "hustle" involved in each career. By "hustle" I mean deadlines, editorial input, submission process, revision process, marketing, research, etc. And some of that you can't learn until you're doing it--i.e. are selling short fiction or novels on a regular basis. There was a lot to learn in a short time after I sold the novel, even though I'd been doing my due diligence learning about the writing industry for years. You never stop learning in this biz, which is one thing I love about it. :)

Wendy--Yay! I'm so glad you are enjoying the books! Zayvion just showed up for the part. Literally. I wasn't planning him in the short story, but he just came strolling up on scene like he owned the place. He's not based on anyone. Man has a mind of his own. :)

DollKittnLuv--Oh! I hope you like the books! I do crochet, but I'm much more of a knitter. I knitted as a child, and re-taught myself a few years ago, and find it both stress-relieving and frustrating, Lol! I discovered I like knitting fun/strange things, like toys, fingerless gloves, cthulhu soap cozies, and odd stuff. I have a gallery on my web page of some of my knitting, and even a couple photo "stories" featuring my knit projects.

Mardel--Thank you so much for reading! I am also stealing your title ideas to add to my list. :)

Britt--Thank you for the title ideas! I hope you like the books when you get a chance to read them.

Zita--Great suggestions! They are on the list now. (And they are much better than the one my friend suggested: Magic up the Wazoo.) Lol!

SandyG265--Thank you for reading! At the moment, I don't have any plans to write young adult novels. For the next couple of years, I'll be writing three novels a year (two Allie Beckstrom, one steampunk) and I can't see how I'd fit another novel in there time-wise. But if a really cool YA idea hit me, I'd totally go with it.

glad to see a title for your steam punkish western so excited to read it and all the new books. I am not going to suggest any titles for books because I am not good at naming things. well except for my animals.

SciFiGuy--Allie ends up getting away from Portland for a short while in book 5, MAGIC AT THE GATE. But it's not a traditional road trip. I did have a road trip on mind when I first envisioned the books, but it hasn't panned out yet. If I get to writer seven through nine, I might have a chance to get her and the gang out of the city and/or state. It'd be fun, that's for sure! Maybe I should send them somewhere I want to vacation--for research purposes, of course! ;)

Mundane--A joke short story mash-up? Don't give me ideas. No, wait...I could totally see this working. Good grief, I have a plot forming in my head already--and no time to write it, LOL!

Zay showed up pretty quickly even in the short story, so even though I didn't plan him, he feels like he's always been a part of the book. I knew Shame was going to show up (he's seen very briefly at the end of book 2, MAGIC IN THE BLOOD) but yes, the additional characters have made me rethink how the main plot will resolve. I even have some first drafts wherein I killed off certain characters who are very much alive in the final printed version, and I think the books are better for that choice.

Hey Devon! :)I've really enjoyed the Allie Beckstrom series thus far though Magic in the Shadows didn't really capture me as much and I can't figure out why. One of the things I LOVE about the series is how you write Portland itself. For me it's almost another character. My great-grandparents lived in Portland when I was a kid so I remember visiting there from time to time. Was it important for you to use Portland as your setting or did you even consider other locales?

Rhianna--Maybe MAGIC IN THE SHADOWS was just too awesome to bear? *blinks innocently* LOL!! I am totally kidding!!

Actually, that happens to me sometimes--one book in a series won't quite do what I expect/hope for, or sometimes I just don't "click" with the story when I'm reading it. I hope sometime you'll give MAGIC ON THE STORM a try and see if it "clicks" with you.

As for your Portland question, when I first imagined the short story, I put it in a generic modern city. I don't even think I named it. But I'd had Portland, albeit a grittier version, in my mind all along. After I sold the book, my editor told me I needed to pick a city, or at least name the city where the story took place. That's when I officially chose Portland, then gleefully added in Portlandy details. Now I can't imagine it set anywhere else. :)

Hmm...titles, never my strong suit! I always figure the title can come later when I'm working on my own. I want to be a writer really soon, have like 2 months left of college of getting my BA in English and a minor in writing.

Anyway...Magic on the Rise? Magic Rising? (Don't know why I like "rise" so much! ;) ) Magic on the Edge?

Question for Devon: What kinds of books do you like to read in your free time?

Will put a post on my blog before the end of today @ http://jessica-agreatread.blogspot.com

It is amazing that you've managed to have Allie maintain her sense of personality through all the memory loss. I wish we'd get to see more of Allie's childhood somehow, because it tends to be the childhood things that are personality forming -- will we get that chance later?

I like "Magic Bolts," or "Meridian Magic," but it sounds like some of the titles have been longer, so perhaps "Magic in the Threshold"?

Bethany C--I think I pitched Magic to the Core once.*scratches head, trying to remember* I'll put it on the list just in case. Thank you, and thanks for cross posting to Facebook.

Jessica--Congrats on almost being done with school! I like that title suggestion--on the list it goes.

In my free time (when I'm not researching non-fiction text for writing) I like to read fantasy, urban fantasy, or anything with a paranormal twist. I'm also part of a book club, so I'm reading things I don't usually read, like biography and young adult. I think we're looking for a good mystery to read next month. Any suggestions?

I'm hearing a lot about this series and I'm really eager to get started on it. I'm definitely putting the Allie Beckstrom series on my wish list. I always enjoy it when there are several books to a series out so I can read them all at once - I just bury myself in the books and don't stop until I've finished the last one. And then of course, I have to wait for the next installement, which is so hard!

Is Zayvion based on a person you know, like can you connect some of his personality to a particular person, or is he just a creation out of your mind? He's my favorite character in the series by far. His dual natures and loyalties fascinate me.

Let's see, book titles...Magic on the StreetMagic through the LinesMagic against the WindMagic against the OddsMagic from the Ground(ing?)

Anyway! I also advertised on my blog: http://www.ashleycrosby.com/blog/2010/03/15/magic-on-the-storm-arc-giveaway/

Devon, I love these books and can't wait for May. (Here's hoping I don't have to!)

Allie and Zayvion are two of the best urban fantasy characters. But I also fell in love with Shamus in Magic in the Shadows. The book mentions that he had the chance to see if he had a soul complement, but didn't take it. Was his potential soul complement Terric, who was mentioned at Allie's training session? If so, will we find out why he did not go through the test?

I have all your books and it would be absolutely awesome if I didn't have to wait till May! Call it an early birthday present because my birthday is on April Fools (1st). LOL. Anyways it would be amazing if you liked any of these possible titles: Magic in Mayhem Magic under DarknessMagic as the Moon Rises

I haven't read any of the books in this series yet but they have been on my wishlist for awhile. Though I absolutely love series, I'm a series wh*** and insist on having 3 or 4 in my hands before starting. Now with 4 out and 5 more to look forward to, time to take the plunge. I hate to wait for that next book in a series and will often collect them for years before picking them up. As much as I am looking forward to this series though you have certainly got me interested in your steampunk series. I love historical fiction also and can't believe that there aren't more books out there that combine the two. So "Deadman's Moon" is going to the top of my 2011 list. Any planned # of books for this series yet or too soon to tell?

Ashley--Zayvion isn't based on anyone I know. As I said somewhere upstream in the comments, I hadn't expected him to be in the story. He just strolled onto the page and took his place. And I'm glad he did. :) Thank you for the title suggestions!

Brooke--Ah, Shamus. He's too much fun, Lol! You'll find out why he refused to take the test in MAGIC ON THE STORM. You'll also find out who may have been his Soul Complement. Because that person shows up. Shame gets quite a lot of page time in STORM, actually. :)

Jennifer Ebba--Thank you for reading and happy almost birthday! Very nice title suggestions--thank you! I'll put them on the list.

Cheesebk--Thank you for stopping in! Great title ideas, I'll get them on the list!

Lisa R--I hope you like the books when you give them a try. I know what you mean about wanting to read more than one book in a series, but I usually can't wait that long before I dive in, Lol!

Right now, I'm contracted to write two steampunk west novels. I think they'll come out one a year, as opposed to the Allie Beckstrom novels that come out two a year. Could there be more? It's certainly a rich world with characters I love. So I'd be willing to write more, but it all depends on if readers like it, buy it, and ask for more. :)

I haven't gotten the chance to pick up the Magic books just yet but I really like the concept. There's definitely something intriguing about the concept of having magic and the consequences of using said magic.

I am curious though, did you always know how many books you were going to finish the story in? How do you keep all the tibits and bits of info correct?

How behind am I? I haven't heard of this series yet (it's because I took a "fun book" break while being studious in college, I swear!)... Now my TBR list is like a block long, and yet I won't hesitate to add this series!

ChiChai Hana--I hope you like the books if you give them a try. I knew from the start that it would be a nine-book series, or at least I knew it would take three sets of three books to tell about all the shenanigans going on. Keeping track of the details is a challenge. Also, new exciting ideas show up as I'm writing each book, so I'm constantly adding to the details.

I outline a lot. And I fill up many spiral notebooks with notes. I even resorted to using a spreadsheet (by this time I was writing book 5, MAGIC AT THE GATE pretty much the middle book of the entire series) because I didn't want to forget anything.

I've read the first three books and #4 is already on my 'to read' list (though I have to admit that my list is 250 titles strong...yes, I'm a bit over the top there).

I have to say that while I like Allie and Zay and the rest, Stone is my favorite! He seems so cool and interesting. I'm really interested in finding out how he came about and what he'll get into in the future.

Some title ideas:Magic in the MindI was thinking heredity - but Magic in the Genes doesn't sound quite right. Nerves? Cells? I don't know.Magic in the MemoryIsn't there something called a historical or genetic memory? Instinct? No, something like that though.Magic in the Instinct

In any case, I saw some good ones above too. Best of luck on all your projects. As soon as the steampunk is published it will be on my list too. It is my new favorite subgenre.

Also - I really love that magic has a specific price and that the user can pick that price. Makes lots of sense.

Pissenlit--Thank you for reading! I don't have a clue who will do the art for the steampunk book (but I *love* Larry's art). You're right--that's pretty far ahead yet for this project. But as soon as I know, I'll post it on my blog. Just a wild guess? I might see art by the end of the year. Or not, Lol!

Dwndrgn--Thank you for reading! I love Stone too. He gets some great page time in MAGIC ON THE STORM. We'll be getting more on his back story...Oh! I don't want to say when. :)

Hi Doug! Hi Devon! I would like to first say you are one of my favorite authors and I absolutely love the Allie Beckstrom series. Not to mention the covers are fabulous! Which book cover is your favorite? I once read a post on Deadline Dames where you said "If you’re writing, you’ve made it.If you’re dreaming of writing, rolling it around in your soul and wondering if that’s the path for you, you’ve made it. " and I agree with you completely because following your dreams is a great acomplishment in it's self:) Thanks for a great series and the inspiring words! Oh I really like how your new upcoming series sounds. Can't wait:)

Thanks!Steph M.

Possible titles-(someone said this but I like it) Magic of the SoulMagic in the DepthsMagic in the AirMagic Surge

Shared this giveaway on twitter, blood bank and my blog.http://twitter.com/papercutreviewhttp://bittenbybooks.ning.com/group/devonmonkfanshttp://papercut-reviews.blogspot.com/2010/03/current-blog-contest.html

*Squeeee* i love finding new authors!!! This series sounds awesome!!!! Thank you for the Interview. My title suggestion would be Magic of DestinyMagic of the PathThanks for the giveaway!JoJojojosbookcorner@gmail.com

Ali--Thank you! I'm so glad you're liking the books so far. STORM was one of my favorites to write. It really starts "upping the ante", as it were. :)

Susan--Thanks so much! I like that title idea! It's totally on my list now!

Steph M--Oh my gosh! Thank you (I'm blushing up a storm here!) My favorite cover of the series so far is MAGIC ON THE STORM. Aliie just looks so fierce. But I got a sneak peak at MAGIC AT THE GATE, and it's starting to win me over as my favorite cover. I'll try to share it as soon as I have an approved copy. Thank you for the title ideas, and for cross-posting the giveaway!

JoJo--Glad to e-meet you! Hope you like the books when you get a chance to try them! And I've added the title ideas to the list, thank you!

Diana Dang--Thank you for the title suggestions! I'm adding them on.

Jellybelly--Thank you for stopping by! I hope you like the books when you try them. If you want a peek at the first chapters, excerpts are posted on my website.

Heatwave--Thank you for stopping by. I hope you like the books when you get a chance to read them. Thanks for the title suggestion!

Vickie--Thank you for reading! I love that Zayvion Jones too. :) I'll be sure to keep updates on the Steampunk rolling through my web page as time goes on. Great title ideas. I've put them on the list!

JustMe--I like that title idea. Thank you!

Jenn--I'm so glad you liked Magic to the Bone! I hope you like the rest when you get your hands on them. Terrific title ideas! Thanks--I've added them to the list.

Pacey1927--Great list of title ideas! Thank you!

Jmspettoli--I like that title idea too--it does have that sense of change to it. Thank you!